Can I compete in a figure skating competition without a coach?
Unfortunately, it's not really possible. At your level (really, at any level, but some very advanced skaters can last for a month or two without a coach) you need a coach to correct mistakes that you can't feel. The more advanced skaters can often feel that they are doing something wrong and can figure out how to fix it (That's how they can spend more time practicing by themselves), but at all levels, coaching is essential. In any case, you need a coach to prepare your program, and to inform you about what the judges are looking for, as well as requirements for the competition. Also, for most competitions, you must either sign in with your coach, or you need to have your coach's name and signature on your sign up form. Even to test, you need a coach. You can't pass tests without knowing if you're doing things right or wrong. If you can't afford private lessons, at least sign up for group lessons. That's better than trying to teach yourself. Maybe their is someone at your rink working on their coach's certification that would be willing to give you some private lessons for free so that they can get experience coaching. Again, better than having no coach at all. Ask around a bit and see if there is anyone like that. Or you could get a part-time job to pay for lessons.
Is it too late to start figure skating professionally at 18? Is it possible to reach high level?
If you have natural ability and athleticism, it is certainly not too late. I have been skating professionally for 10 years and will give you three examples of this exact situation happening.On my third year of tour, the lead pair skating team was married. She was a national figure skating competitor. He did not grow up as a skater and learned to pair skate just so they could tour together. They said the money they made traveling as performers was much better than the money they could make in their own country. They worked extremely hard to come up with unique pairs tricks, and no one paid attention to his skating skills because their tricks were so impressive.While working on cruise ships, I had a couple from Russia on my cast. He grew up as a competitive skater, but her story was very different. She was at a PUBLIC SESSION skating around the rink when she met him. They hit it off romantically and he taught her everything he could about skating. They have been skating professionally for years now, saving up all the money they earn on cruise ships to start a life back in Russia. Yes, her skating wasn’t as strong as a person who grew up skating, but it was certainly good enough. And they keep getting rehired.I have a friend on tour that is from Argentina. He started skating at 18 and he now skates for a living! He is so hard-working, animated, and comedic, he is given opportunities to perform many roles within the company. He is an extremely talented performer and started at 18!So, yes… it is very possible.
Is it possible to become a figure skating coach at 15?
I recently quit the sport, and i just love it so much. Sadly, i cant take it up again. Ever since i began the sport, i've loved choreographing programs to different types of music! Its like my dream to become a coach! but, i know that they make a small amount of money. And all of my friends want to become scientists and doctors, and then i want to become a skating coach. Is it considered a "bad" career? and Is it too early to even consider becoming one? I mean i would love to become a doctor, but my dream is to become a coach. and how would u even start becoming one?
When should I get a figure skating coach? If I get a coach, how often should I take private lessons?
When you get a skating coach is partially going to be a personal decision depending on where you are at with your skating. If you need to learn the very basics of movement on the ice, group lessons are a good place to start. Even if you begin in group lessons, you may still choose to complete the entire group lesson track before getting a private coach, or you can choose to get a private coach at any point in time.Group lessons are often a good choice for younger skaters (e.g. age 2–7), as little children tend to not progress quite as quckly when starting out. However in my own experience, I began skating a little older, as 10 year-old, and I taught myself to get around the rink, do crossovers, stop, and skate backwards. I never went through group lessons because I did not really need to learn basic skills, so I ended up going immediately to a private coach about a month or two after beginning skating.TLDR: I would suggest group lessons for skaters who are not yet comfortable on the ice, and who still need to learn the basics of balance maneuvering. If/when you feel ready to start learning more complex “figure skating” specific moves, I would begin taking private lessons. Once you get a coach, take as many lessons as you want. Once a week or every two weeks may be good for a beginner. If you are hoping to progress quickly, ask your coach for advice on how to reach your goals. He or she should be able to suggest a lesson & training schedule.
How much do figure skating coaches make?
on a weekly basis? Im thinking about coaching part time maybe. Im a very experienced skater. Senior level. passed all my tests on the first try. still competitively active. What would it take to become a coach and how much would i make weekly at my level.(16 years old) just wondering
How long will it take me to become a competitive figure skater?
okay... so im in basic 1 (im 13 yrs old... i know i had a late start) but i can do -rocking horses, front and back swizzles, stroking, 2 foot glide, kinda snowplow stop, kinda curves, and im getting better at 1 foot glides! im interested in becoming a competetive skater when im in my 20s (22,23,24,.....) do you think that ten years will be enough time to get through the things they teach in freestyle 9 AND 10? BUT WITH A PRIVATE COACH! i practice 25 min group lesson.... 15 min private lesson.......... and practice between 1-5 extra hours a week) do you think im doing good for only skating 2 lessons and 2 practices? how long will it take me too learn all the spins? and how long will it take me to learn THE BASIC JUMPS? ( lutz flip waltz axel salchow.....) how long will it take me to learn double jumps? SORRY ABOUT ALL THE QUESTIONS!!! im just curious thank you soo much!!!!
What do I do if my parents can’t afford ice skating lessons, if it is my passion?
Do you already know how to ice skate? What level of skill do you have? Do you have friends who know how to ice skate?For basic lessons, you can actually learn it on your own (if you can afford to have ice time). Maybe try Youtube videos and ask figure skater friends’ help. Learn also the basics of skating position, posture, safety, etc.When I was still into figure skating, I met people at the rink who are not enrolled as students but they are learning on their own with the help of friends who know how to skate and by imitating other skaters. The down side of this though is that you can learn some wrong/bad habits/technique if you are not being properly coached. This becomes crucial the higher you go up in terms of skill level.But if it is really your passion and you’d rather learn a bit than not learn at all, they maybe you can try this. Also, I don’t know if there are scholarships or community lessons that are free that you can join. Maybe you can research if there are such opportunities.By the way, I’m not sure if you’re interested in figure skating or a different type of ice skating but I can only speak for figure skating.Also, another thing I learned is that figure skating training has a lot to do with off ice conditioning. Most of the jumps you will learn are actually learned off the ice. You need a strong core, strong legs, great balance, coordination, etc. There are off ice exercises and workouts that are especially for figure skating training. Maybe look them up online. This will not only help you learn skills faster but these are actually crucial to learning jumps and spins.Another thing you may want to learn is how to move gracefully. Dance lessons help here.But honestly, it really pays to have a coach but if people see that you are determined, maybe there will be coaches who will notice and will be willing to work with you for a minimal fee, or even for free. I don’t know. The important thing is to take this constraint as a challenge and see how you can still pursue your passion given whatever means are available to you. Don’t compare yourself with those who can afford it but do your best to enjoy ice skating in the best way you can, given the limitations you’re in right now. :)All the best!Riz
What are the skating requirements for a regional figure skating competition?
First off, there's two parts to a regional competition. The first part is for lower level skaters or non-qualifying. This differs depending on the region but I have seen them as low as Free Skate 1. Most will have at least No Test through Pre-Juvenile and Open Juvenile. These levels may or may not compete during the qualifying competion. These levels do not move on to another competition and there is no National competition. This is kinda like practice for the more serious qualifying competition. The other part of regionals is the qualifying competition. This is for skaters in Juvenile to Senior. Skaters in Juvenile and Intermediate compete for a spot at Junior Nationals while Novice, Junior, and Senior compete to attend a second competition called Sectionals to try for a shot at Nationals. Only the top 4 in an event move on to Junior Nationals or Sectionals. Attending the qualifying competition at regionals is the goal of many young skaters. Because these events lead to a National Competition, this is a big deal to every skater who attends.